The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1887-06-05
NEW CANNIBAL TRIBES.
Tho Discoveries OF Capt. Van Colo Along
the Great MobanEi River.

the Great MobanEi River.
Last fall the Congo State sent Capt. Van
Gele. one Of Stanley's favorite officers in the
steamer Henry Reed to make further explora-
tions upon the Mobangi Biyer, the great north
ern affiuent Of the Congo, whose importance
Mr.. Grenfell was the first to discover. Van
Gee did not ascend the river quite as far as
Grenfel being prevented by rapids through
which Grenfell had been able to push his
steamer at low water when the current was
slower. He. however, took time to explore,
while Grenfell's journey was nothing more
than hurried reconnaissance. Van Gele
made some very interesting discoveries. He
found for instance. three little tributaries. up
which he pushed his steamer for total dis
lance Of POT miles. 1t is only three years since
Stanley estimated that the Mobangi itself
added only about $50 miles to the navigable
waters OF the Congo basin. Now the problem
is, whether the Mobangi or the Kassai deserves
distinction as the Congo's greatest tributary.
On the Nghiri afluent Of the river and also on
the Mobangi. about 800 miles from its mouth,
tricts he had seen in Africa. The left bank of
sion OF villages for about seventy miles. Those
who imagine that the depths OF Africa are an
GeIe's brief account OF the animation and bus
tie he witnessed all along this populous. river.
The scene on the river In the morning. he
often met rs many as 300 canoes swiftly
ploughing through tho water. The canoes
were chiefly filled wi tn women and children,
The women were leaving tho villages TO go to
the fields and begin the agricultural labors Of
the day. Other parties in the canoes We're set-
ting out for the fish nets to gather In the flnny
harvest that had collected since the previous
day, Tho river swarms with fish, tho land
thousands OF natives along the river do not
know what famine means. They have, be-
SIDES, food resources upon which most OF the
world cannot count, rs these natives are
among the greatest OF cannibals.
Quite number Of men accompany the wo-
men to the fields. butnot to take part In filling
the soil. They let the women monopolize the
rude iron hoes while the men stand around
toers Without protect Hu thoro IS always gs
dragged off by hostile tribes
All these river tribes send expeditions against
Victims for their cannibal feasts. Capt Van
Gele says that all the enemies they kill In bat
tie are eaten. and that the same fate soon over
takes the prisoners they carry home with
Valley the belief was widespread that can
nibalism had greatly. decreased. and that
were still addicted TO the, horrid prac-
saw cannl Tribe With f the possible aifis
exception Of the Mauyema. But the opening
up OF the Congo basin has revealed the fact
that the world never knew before where canni-
doubleday hundreds Of thousands OF people in
that region among whom cannibalism Is con-
firmed and most cherished habit,
Capt Van Gele says that nowhere In Africa
Stanley Falls, The stakes marking the POSI-
TOP OF the nets cover many acres. All these
tribes arc tall and powerful, and In form they
are splendid specimens Of physical beauty.